Greater Dubuque Development Earns Three Mid-America Economic Development Awards

Dubuque, IA - Greater Dubuque Development Corporation has earned three 2026 Economic Development Awards from the Mid-America Economic Development Council (MAEDC), recognizing the organization’s talent attraction and retention efforts and honoring the 30-year leadership and impact of retired President & CEO Rick Dickinson.

The awards were presented during the 2026 Mid-America EDC Annual Conference, held August 31 through September 2 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Greater Dubuque Development President & CEO Jason White attended the conference to represent the organization and the Greater Dubuque region.

Greater Dubuque Development received recognition in all three categories in which it submitted entries:

• Economic Development Impact Award – Rick Dickinson, 30 Years of Leadership in the Greater Dubuque Region
• Marketing Program Award, Large Division – YOU can be great here Relocation Guide
• Workforce & Talent Award, Large Division – Distinctively Dubuque Newcomer Program

“Receiving recognition across three categories speaks to both the strength of the work happening in the Greater Dubuque region today and the foundation that made it possible,” said White. “Our Relocation Guide and Distinctively Dubuque are helping people see a future here, build connections, and choose to make this region home. Having Rick recognized for his 30 years of leadership makes this recognition especially meaningful and celebrates the collaborative approach to economic development he championed throughout his career.”

The Economic Development Impact Award recognizes Dickinson’s three decades of leadership at Greater Dubuque Development. Dickinson retired January 9, 2026, after serving as President & CEO since 1995. During his tenure, he helped build a collaborative approach to economic development that brought together business, government, labor, education, nonprofits, and other partners while expanding the organization’s work beyond traditional business recruitment to address the many factors influencing regional economic competitiveness.

The Marketing Program Award recognizes Greater Dubuque Development’s redesigned YOU can be great here Relocation Guide, launched in fall 2024 as a resource for prospective and new residents. More than 1,700 guides have since been distributed through direct requests, community tours, employers, realtors, schools, healthcare organizations, and other community partners. 

The Workforce & Talent Award recognizes Distinctively Dubuque, a newcomer program launched in 2010 by Greater Dubuque Development and Northeast Iowa Community College. More than 1,600 people have participated in the program to date, which helps newcomers and returning residents build personal, professional, and civic connections to the region.

The MAEDC honors come just weeks after the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) recognized Greater Dubuque Development with two 2026 Excellence in Economic Development Awards. The YOU can be great here Relocation Guide received a Silver Award, while Distinctively Dubuque received a Bronze Award.

Together, the five awards from the two economic development organizations provide national and regional recognition for Greater Dubuque Development’s approach to attracting people to the region, helping newcomers build connections, and strengthening the partnerships that support long-term economic and population growth.

"These awards reflect work that extends far beyond our organization — the employers, local governments, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, investors, community leaders, and residents who continue to work together to make the Greater Dubuque region a place where businesses and people can succeed," White said. “As an organization in transition from one campaign to the next, we're pleased to have a foundation of proven tools for retaining residents and competing for new ones, and we'll build on that foundation as we compete for jobs and grow our workforce.”

The Mid-America Economic Development Council represents economic development professionals across a 13-state region. Its annual Economic Development Awards recognize impactful programs, projects, marketing efforts, and leaders throughout the Midwest. Greater Dubuque competed in the Large Division for organizational awards, representing communities with populations greater than 25,000.

About Greater Dubuque Development Corporation: Founded in 1984, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation is a private, nonprofit economic development organization serving the Greater Dubuque region. Through business services, workforce solutions, population growth initiatives, and regional collaboration, Greater Dubuque Development works with public and private partners to strengthen the tri-state economy and create opportunities for businesses and people to succeed. For more information on Greater Dubuque Development, visit www.greaterdubuque.org.